Sachin Tendulkar and the Bharat Ratna

So what else is left to say about Sachin Tendulkar? The man is a living legend, a colossus, arguably the greatest batsman ever to walk on to a cricket field and his records will in all probability never be surpassed. So when an entire nation demands that the country's highest civilian honour be conferred upon him, does the issue even merit a debate? Unfortunately, I think it does.

Established in 1954, the Bharat Ratna is the Republic of India's highest civilian award, awarded for the highest degrees of national service. This service includes artistic, literary, and scientific achievements, as well as "recognition of public service of the highest order." Unlike a Knighthood, holders of the Bharat Ratna carry no special title nor any other honorifics, but they do have a place in the Indian order of precedence. (Thanks Wikipedia).

Historically the Bharat Ratna was awarded to public figures who had served the nation beyond the normal call of duty. Among the earliest receipients were luminaries like C. Rajagopalachari, C.V. Raman, S. Radhakrishnan, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, Lal Bahadur Shastri and V.V.Giri. Even Indira Gandhi was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1971, probably less for her accomplishments and more for the successsful war against Pakistan which lead to the founding of Bangladesh. Her lineage may have had something to do with it as well, but in the larger picture she was a worthy receipient (at least in 1971, the emergency a few years later would always be a huge blot on an otherwise inspiring life).

On a few occassions, the award became a political tool, being awarded posthumously to M.G.Ramachandran, a film star and later Chief Minister of Tamilnadu, and Rajiv Gandhi, India's seventh Prime Minister, whose time in the countr's highest public office were marked by corruption, scandal and the almost total collapse of the economy. In my personal opinion, these two awardees are shining examples of political expediency, where the individual's merit has nothing to do with being conferred this award, thereby devaluing this highest honour. When one glances through the list of people who have actually been awarded the Bharat Ratna, of the 41 receipients to date the remainder have impeccable credentials and unimpeachable reasons for finding themselves on this exclusive list. For more details and a complete list of awardees, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharat_Ratna

So back to Sachin Tendulkar. In a country of acute diversity, where language, food habits, fashion, caste and creed vary in varying degrees every few kilometers, in a land of 32 billion Gods and Godesses where we cannot agree on most things, in a country held together by only an idea of a nation, the one factor that unites us all is Sachin! From Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Kutch to Kolkota, one man can bring the nation to a grinding halt as he faces up to a shiny cricket ball being hurled at him at 150 km/hr. In a sport that has been rocked by scandal and corruption in recent years, murky dealings and shady connections, Sachin has continued to shine bright as an example of integrity, honesty, hard work, dedication, humility, respect, discipline and all the other values that first helped popularise the gentleman's game in India.

When one goes over the list of Bharat Ratna awardees, Sachin's name fits in quite well. It doesn't seem out of place or forced, the man's accomplishments easily secure his place in history, this is merely a list. In my opinion, the Bharat Ratna aside, the man should be cryogenically frozen for all time, so his services can be called upon whenever needed, his DNA extracted and used to clone an army of Sachin's and we would have the greatest batting order in the history of the game. But seriously, in a country where cricket is the greatest passion, equaliser, breaker of barriers, why not just give it to the man? Because, in the end, it is just a sport. The Bharat Ratna is not a game for petty politics, a tool for expediency, a ruse for vote-bank politics, a favour handed out for brownie points. The highest civilian honour in a land of 1.2 billion people should count for something more than that. Has Sachin done enough to deserve it? Honestly, I cannot say. If success in a sport makes one worthy of the Bharat Ratna, then why not award it to Sunil Gavaskar or Kapil Dev? In their time, their accomplishments were equally inspiring and world-beating. Why not award it to Vishwanathan Anand? If it can be given to MGR, then why not to NTR? Both have an almost identical profile in terms of accomplishments, achievments and public adulation. Why was it awarded to Ambedkar, the father of our constitution almost 34 years after he passed? Why not a lot earlier? Did anyone deserve the award more than him? Or less than Rajiv Gandhi? If a last name is enough to gaurantee the Bharat Ratna, does Sachin even need it?

Sachin is no longer just a player. He is an icon, a living legend, an inspiration to countless millions and an ambassador of India. Praise him all you can, for he is praiseworthy, Fete him, crown him, honour him, felicitate him. And remember, in the end all he did was play a game. Exceedingly well for sure, but a game nonetheless. The greatest batsman ever? Without doubt! The Bharat Ratna? Maybe not just yet!!